All your pre-Vuelta news in this cycling news roundup, from Pedersen’s mad domination at the Tour of Denmark to a controversy-marred race in Romandie, a breakaway doing what we root for breakaways to do — and the G.O.A.T. being awfully endearing as he plays fan, fiancé and even trash collector.
TOP STORY:
- Madness: Pedersen Dominates Tour of Denmark
Race News:
- Consonni Sprints to Overall Victory at 3rd Tour de Pologne Women
- Junior Lecerf Snatches Czech Tour 2025 Victory in Dramatic Final Stage
- Big Names Headed to Deutschland Tour
Chabbey Claims Historic Tour de Romandie Féminin Victory After Final-Day Drama — and GPS Tracking Controversy
- Townsend Nabs ADAC Cyclassics Crown from De Lie (and the Chasing Peloton)
Rider and Team News:
- Biniam Girmay Named as United Nations Goodwill Ambassador
- Dries De Bondt Moves to Jayco AlUla
- Soudal Quick-Step Signs Steff Cras and Fabio Van Den Bossche
- Charlotte Kool Signs with Fenix-Deceuninck
- Gigante Breaks Femur — And Is Already Aiming to Return
- Pogi the Fiancé-Fan
Madness: Pedersen Dominates the Tour of Denmark
It must have been love for his home country that drove Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) to a commanding victory in the rolling five-stage Tour of Denmark.
Opening on the Baltic island of Bornholm, Pedersen launched a breakaway that proved one step beyond the peloton on the Helligpeder climb; Pedersen sprinted expertly to claim Stage 1 and the race leader’s jersey.
Stage 2 delivered a fast, chaotic sprint finish into Gladsaxe, where Søren Wærenskjold of Uno-X Mobility surged to victory. Despite a late-stage crash in the lead-out, Pedersen retained a slender hold on the GC.
The pivotal Stage 3 was a 14.3 km individual time trial in Kerteminde. Jakob Söderqvist, another rider from Lidl-Trek, stunned the field with a powerful 15:28 effort to take the win. Pedersen finished third, maintaining a narrow 10-second lead over Niklas Larsen, with Söderqvist moving into third on GC.
The queen Stage 4 saw Pedersen launch a long-range solo attack—riding alone for 32 km—to dominate the stage and extend his general classification lead to 58 seconds. So comfortable was Pedersen’s lead at the finish that he was able to celebrate in the middle of the street.
Finally, in Stage 5 finishing in Silkeborg, Lidl-Trek asserted control in the final circuits. Pedersen mowed down the competition in a reduced sprint, securing his third stage win and sealing overall victory, with Söderqvist finishing strong and moving up to second, while Niklas Larsen completed the podium.
Reflecting on the week, Pedersen added: “It was pretty hard, but with the result, it was nice for sure. And it’s super nice to get Jakob up on the podium as well. Maybe Søren also gets onto the podium or he’s really close. That would have been nice to be one, two and three, but let’s say it like this: now Jakob steps up into the big scene where he belongs and, yeah, what a race this Tour of Denmark has been for us.”
Heading into the Vuelta, and having missed the Tour de France, Pedersen has sent a message to his strongman rivals, riding like he’s on the wings of a dove.
RACE NEWS
Consonni Sprints to Overall Victory at 3rd Tour de Pologne Women
Italian cyclist Chiara Consonni delivered a dominant performance at the 3rd Tour de Pologne Women, securing overall victory with her sprinting prowess. Throughout the race, Consonni consistently asserted herself at the front; by winning the final stage in Kraśnik, she not only defended her lead but also highlighted her form and determination during the multi-day event.
Racing through Poland can evoke riding in France
Consonni’s triumphs were built on strong teamwork and strategic racing. Her teammates played an essential role in positioning her for sprint finishes, navigating challenging courses, and neutralizing attacks from rivals.
The event itself was a showcase of international talent and solid racing, further elevating the profile of women’s cycling in Poland and beyond. With live coverage and substantial local support, the race attracted fans and highlighted new talents alongside established names.
Junior Lecerf Snatches Czech Tour 2025 Victory in Dramatic Final Stage
The inaugural three-day 2025 Tour de Romandie Féminin unfolded from August 15 to 17 across Switzerland’s Romandie region as part of the UCI Women’s WorldTour
The race began with a dramatic and unfortunate twist: five top squads—including Canyon-SRAM, Lidl-Trek, Visma-Lease a Bike, EF Education-Oatly, and Team Picnic PostNL—were disqualified for refusing to comply with a UCI trial requiring riders to carry GPS safety trackers. Their absence reshaped the competition from the outset.
In Stage 1, Swiss neo-pro Paula Blasi stunned the field with a commanding 4.4 km uphill time trial victory in Villars-sur-Ollon, clocking 11:17 and earning the first yellow jersey.
Stage 2 tipped the scales. Local favorite Elise Chabbey sprinted clear on the summit finish to win the stage and narrow the overall lead, coming within three seconds of rival Urška Žigart, who assumed the GC lead heading to the final day.
On the decisive Stage 3 into Aigle, Chabbey executed a daring descent and perfectly timed attack to steal the overall victory from Žigart in dramatic fashion—claiming the crown as the first Swiss woman ever to win the race. Žigart’s ambitions were derailed by a costly cornering error on the descent.
Big Names Headed to Deutschland Tour
Following last week’s news that Wout van Aert will start the Lidl Deutschland Tour, several other top riders will put their wheels on the prologue start ramp as well, including Tour de France third-place finisher Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) has chosen the Lidl Deutschland Tour for his comeback to racing.
“For every German rider, races in Germany are something special. And for me, it’s even more special this year. At the Tour de France, there were so many German fans along the route – I’m really curious to see what the atmosphere will be like next week,” said Lipowitz.
Also lining up for the very short first-stage time trial are 2025 revelation Matthew Brennan (Visma Lease a Bike), Tour de France Green Jersey winner Jonathan Milan (Lidl – Trek), and rival sprinter Kaden Groves (Alpecin – Deceuninck).
Fresh from his Tour de Pologne win, Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates) will contest the general classification, supported by two former Deutschland Tour champions: Nils Politt (2021) and Adam Yates (2022).
The Lidl Deutschland Tour’s 735 kilometers include time trials, sprints, and many significant climbs, though without high-mountain stages, the overall competition is open to a wide range of riders.
Townsend Nabs ADAC Cyclassics Crown from De Lie (and the Chasing Peloton) 
In the run-up to ADAC Cyclassics, fans wondered whether a sprinter or a classics specialist would take the win in Hamburg – but few had a breakaway on their radar, not even the peloton.
Nonetheless, the winner came from the leading group that escaped just a few kilometers into the 207-kilometer race: Rory Townsend (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team). The Irish national champion had broken away with Dries De Pooter (Intermarché-Wanty), Johan Jacobs (Groupama-FDJ), and Nelson Oliveira (Movistar Team), building a lead of more than five minutes at one point.
As the race approached the third ascent of the Waseberg, the peloton began to increase the pace significantly, and the gap began to shrink steadily. By the final climb, the breakaway’s lead had been reduced to just 20 seconds with 16 kilometers to go; as the peloton reached Mönckebergstraße, it was just 100 meters behind, but this thin lead proved only enough to catch some of the breakaway.
Townsend sprinted as if his life depended on it, and managed to hold off Arnaud De Lie (Lotto) and Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step) by the narrowest of margins. The crowd of an estimated 150,000 lining the course were treated to a true classic.
RIDER & TEAM NEWS
Biniam Girmay Named as United Nations Goodwill Ambassador
Biniam Girmay has been named the newest National Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This prestigious appointment, Girmay’s status as a global sports icon and his commitment to advocating for climate action and youth empowerment.
Since the start of his professional cycling career in 2020, the 25-year-old Eritrean has consistently demonstrated the power of sport to inspire and create positive change. His historic achievements on the world stage, including winning Ghent-Wevelgem 2022, a stage in the Giro d’Italia 2022 and three stages and the green jersey in the Tour de France 2024, have brought international attention to Eritrea and the African continent.
Said Girmay, “I am deeply honored to accept this appointment as UNDP Eritrea’s Goodwill Ambassador. This is not just a personal honor, but a profound responsibility. As UNDP Goodwill Ambassador, I will strive to use my influence for the greater good, advocating for climate action and supporting Eritrea’s sustainable development on the African continent and beyond.”
Dries De Bondt Moves to Jayco AlUla
Team Jayco AlUla have added experience to their ranks with the addition of former Belgian national champion Dries De Bondt on a two-year deal from 2026.
The man from Bornem will be the first Belgian rider in nine years to race for the GreenEDGE Cycling men’s setup, and the 34-year-old brings with him a wealth of knowledge after almost a decade of racing in the pro ranks.
Said De Bondt, “I’ve always seen this team as one of the most outstanding and inspiring teams in the WorldTour — a team that rides with heart, ambition, and a clear identity. That’s why I’m incredibly proud and excited to be joining them. From next season, I’ll be wearing the beautiful Team Jayco AlUla jersey with pride, ready to give my all and attack the Classics with full commitment and determination.”
Soudal Quick-Step Signs Steff Cras and Fabio Van Den Bossche
More Soudal Quick-Step transfer news!
The team remains very much in flux, following the headline-making announcement that Remco Evenepoel would depart for Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe. The Wolfpack most recently announced the signing of 29-year-old Steff Cras, including this summer’s Tour de France, as well as 24-year old Fabio Van Den Bossche.
Cras showcased his climbing prowess in earning his first pro victory at this season’s Vuelta a Asturias, and at the Route d’Occitanie, where he finished a solid third overall. Cras also cracked the top ten at the Vuelta a Andalucia, Arctic Race of Norway, and the Tour of Slovenia.
A professional since 2020, Van Den Bossche is also looking forward to racing for Soudal Quick-Step next season. In his six years as a pro, Fabio has competed in two Grand Tours and three Monuments, helping his leaders achieve their goals while also making a name for himself on the track. His track palmares includes bronze in the Omnium at the 2024 Olympic Games and a total of four medals at the World Championships.
eTrash Mike sez: The Wolfpack is obviously hoping to return to its heyday of dominance in one-day races, particularly the Northern European classics. But this quantity-over-quality approach likely won’t get the job done: fewer riders are winning more races, with sub-Galacticos only infrequently sneaking in, a la Skjelmose at this year’s Amstel Gold. Seems like the plan is to mass the troops around Tim Merlier — perhaps while grooming Luke Lamperti as a future leader.
Charlotte Kool Signs with Fenix-Deceuninck
Picnic PostNL announced on Friday, August 15, that Charlotte Kool will leave the team with immediate effect. The Dutch sprinter’s departure was confirmed via a press release, and just minutes later her new team, Belgian outfit Fenix–Deceuninck, officially announced her signing.
“In nearly four seasons together, Charlotte has grown from a reliable lead-out into one of the most impressive sprinters in the peloton,” Picnic PostNL stated. The rider and team parted ways by mutual agreement.
Speaking about her move, Charlotte Kool said: “I’ve always been very happy at Picnic PostNL and had no reason to leave. However, the interest from my new team presented an appealing challenge that I’m eager to take on.”
Fenix–Deceuninck confirmed the transfer with Kool’s contract running through the end of 2028. “I’m ready for a new chapter in my career,” Kool said. “I can’t wait to race in my new colors.”
Gigante Breaks Femur — And Is Already Aiming to Return
Climbing phenom Sarah Gigante (AG Insurance-Soudal) broke her femur on a training ride, her latest incident in a string of bad luck.
Gigante had targeted the hilly World Championships Road Race in Rwanda, but will now miss the season-ending race.
2025 had been Gigante’s first mishap-free year in some time, marked by a second-place finish at the Giro d’Italia Women and a strong sixth-place showing at the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. Last December Gigante underwent iliac artery surgery — yet mustered a positive outlook, saying on Instagram, “I’m super disappointed to have broken my femur in training on Thursday (ouch ), but the operation went very well and I’m already counting down until I can eventually ride again…At least the four races I did this year were all great ones…and I sure know how to nail a comeback! For now, it’s time for some R & R and working on my mental resilience even more.
eTrashMike sez: Nooooo! Such a brutal sport…You have to admire her optimism, but I worry that she’ll descend even more tentatively after this tumble; a broken femur is no joke! Here’s hoping we see Gigante at full strength in the not-too-distant future.
Pogi the Fiancé-Fan
Who among us hasn’t ridden out to watch a pro race whiz by? PEZ-Fans have pedaled to check out stages of the Tours of California, France and Italy, not to mention one-day races from local crits to Paris-Roubaix.
So who can have blamed one Tadej Pogaçar for combining training with fandom (not to mention a fiancé’s loyalty) by riding to the route of the Tour de Romandie Féminin? No word if he actually shouted in support of Urška Žigart — but he does seem to have collected a bidon from rival team Visma | Lease a Bike -? Hmm…
Urska Zigart (AG Insurance -Soudal Team) actuellement 2ème du CG. Avec un beau palmarès: 5ème au Giro, 5ème au Tour de Suisse
Est encouragée par @TamauPogi sur les routes du Tour de Romandie!
Venez vous aussi les encourager!#tdr #tdrf #tdrnonstop #tdrf2025 pic.twitter.com/Um9PeoHcce
— Tour de Romandie (@TourDeRomandie) August 16, 2025
Watch the PEZ YOUTUBE Channel here
Follow PEZ INSTAGRAM here
The PEZ NEWSWIRE!
Don’t forget to check the “NEWSWIRE” section, you can find it on the homepage, just above the PEZ Shop section. The bits of news that missed the EuroTrash deadline are in there, plus any news as-it-happens will be added there too.
The post EUROTRASH: Mads-ness in Denmark, Vuelta Warm-up Races — and Pogacar the Superfan & Super-Fiancé appeared first on PezCycling News.
